Jim Obergefell spoke to residents in Sandusky about LGBTQ advocacy and marriage equality on the 10th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Ten years after a Supreme Court decision legalized same-sex marriage, Jim Obergefell, in his hometown of Sandusky, reflected on the milestone and the fight for marriage equality.
Obergefell was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case, decided on June 26, 2015. The 5-4 ruling required all states to recognize and allow same-sex marriages, striking down bans across the country.
But the victory was bittersweet. Obergefell’s husband, John Arthur, died of ALS before the case was decided. Even now, Obergefell says he finds meaning in knowing their legal battle offered hope to countless other couples.
“He would be thrilled,” Obergefell said at an event on Thursday hosted by LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Sandusky. “He would say, ‘I can’t believe the amazing things that have happened in this country, and you were part of it. We were part of it.'”
Mindy Billingham, Equality Sandusky president, said having Obergefell there made the anniversary feel especially personal.
“Jim Obergefell is an incredible American hero,” Billingham said. “He’s the most humble, kind person, and he stood up for what was right.”
While Obergefell celebrated the anniversary with friends and neighbors, he also warned that marriage equality rights remain vulnerable, especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“That was a right for 49 years,” he said. “Obergefell has just hit 10 years. It is not safe from that court, and they’re hearing from people around the country: overturn it, ban marriage equality yet again.”
Despite those concerns, Obergefell says he’s focused on giving back. And that starts in the community where he grew up.
“It’s really meaningful to be here amongst my friends,” he said. “I love that people here in Sandusky now refer to it as the birthplace of marriage equality.”
The Hodges in Obergefell v. Hodges refers to Richard Hodges, who was Ohio’s health director at the time. Obergefell said the two have since become friends and continue to advocate for LGBTQ rights.
This article was published by Steve Iwanek on 2025-06-26 22:56:00
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